The Register's Editorial: Bicycle tragedies show why awareness is needed

12:55 AM,
Jul. 6, 2013

A small cross made by Matt Halsrud, a Boone resident and friend of Paul Ladd can be seen on the side of the road where Ladd was killed by a motorist while riding his bike on June 24, just outside of Boone, Iowa. (David Purdy/The Register)

Written by

The Register?s Editorial Board

In the span of a few days, two Iowans riding bikes were killed in crashes with vehicles. On June 22, Jerry Williams of Lenox was struck by a car. Two days later, Paul Ladd, a retired Marine Corps colonel from Boone, was hit on a county road while training for the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

The tragedies underscore the need for motorists to be more alert as they drive and for bicyclists to make sure they are doing all they can to be seen.

Ladd's wife, Debbie, said, "RAGBRAI was recognized this year in the Wall Street Journal as one of the top 10 events to do in the summer. Yet our ...